If it has wheels, there is likely a racing series made for it. Just because we see Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar among others on TV, there are many more than we realize exist. Whether they are for kids hoping to make it to those professional series, or adults chasing their passion, if you know where to look you can find a potential avenue to thrive as a strength & conditioning coach.
Not that money is the first thought on our minds as a coach, but understanding the domain that is racing is important. All Formula 1 teams are worth over 1 billion dollars, with the top 3 all in the top 50 net worth of all sports teams in the world. Racing is a rich man’s sport period. Outside of that, owning a regular car that most of us drive is not inexpensive – now think of just how much more it costs to own any car made to race. Where anyone can go get a basketball or soccer ball, not just anyone can go buy or even rent a race car.
(Athletes Sam has worked with - photo from Pearl Performance Instagram page)
So if you are looking to make a living as a strength & conditioning coach in motorsport, how do you make that happen?
The simplest way to get in anywhere, motorsport included is to figure out who you know and who knows you. If you know people in motorsport in any capacity, look to them with help getting a foot in the door. Your network is your net worth, and the first thing you need is an opportunity; those already in the sport can help guide you towards that. Now, being in motorsport there are many avenues, be it drivers (professional, junior, or gentlemen), teams, or pit crews. And with any of these you can have a traditional s&c role, a hybrid s&c role, or a multipurpose s&c role.
Motorsport Strength and Conditioning Roles
A traditional role is just like that in any team sport, or private facility where you work day to day with your athletes in a facility.
A hybrid role can have that of the traditional role, but also has a remote aspect programming for athletes who do not live where you do (this can include teaching about jet lag, hydration, nutrition etc too to provide a holistic program).
And a multipurpose role involves programming/coaching remote or in-person as well as being trackside during races to help with warmups, recovery, hydration etc. Being in a multipurpose role allows for a lot of flexibility as a coach.
Because motorsport is not like most other sports, teams are not easily accessible where you have 10-20+ people you can train in person. Instead, many drivers are their own team as they compete with teammates, and they also can live anywhere. For those reasons alone, a hybrid model can work better than a traditional one. Working primarily remotely you will open up time and can help anyone.
Working In Motorsport as S&C Coach
Now, if you know where you are and know that many drivers live locally or there are tracks near you that are used often, then having a facility can be smart. For reference, I am about 45 minutes to two different tracks – one of which is used often for junior testing and the other is used almost as frequently for racing. Both allow me to network or work fairly easily, but still do not make having a local facility necessary.
(Image from Pearl Performance Instagram page)
As you do work with drivers in a remote or in-person fashion, you might get into a more multipurpose role, which would involve traveling with them to races and/or tests. While training is something you can charge yearly, monthly, or weekly, traveling with means charging day rates. It also involves doing warmups, cooldowns, recoveries, hydration etc. like you would with any team sport athlete. Here you could be working with a driver, a team of drivers, or even the team itself like a pit crew and more.
As you travel with drivers and teams you can begin to truly build your brand, which, if you are self-employed, is yourself. This means partnering with companies who can help you while you help them. You can provide great products to those you work with, and create further revenue streams. Very much a win-win opportunity.
Putting It All Together
As you gain trust and prove value to your clients, you will find that some young drivers either coach younger drivers on the side, or have driver coaches themselves. Whoever a driver coach is likely has a stable of drivers and/or teams they work with. Much like your network can be your best friend and get you into motorsport, your network can be a massive asset and grow your clientele once you’ve proven your worth and skill. Even if it means that you might pay for someone bringing you clients, 90% of something will always be worth more than 100% of nothing. Having drivers you work with who either coach others and want to make sure you coach kids they coach, or who make sure their coaches suggest you to their other drivers is a great benefit.
Learning how to create and use leverage of/for yourself and making sure that it is beneficial to all is a critical skill to understand. Whether it’s because of followers or something unique find what it is that you have and you can create something you might never have expected.
No matter what, so much of what can be accomplished means nothing without doing your initial primary job well, which is strength and conditioning for drivers. If you do that well, then your options are almost boundless. Your network is your net worth, and you should take advantage of your complete skillset as much as possible.
About the Author
Samuel Feldman forward-thinking Strength & Conditioning coach with the proven ability to drive sustainable improvements in athletic performance through a holistic approach towards physical preparation, physiological development, injury prevention, health and well-being. He has been working in motor sport since 2022.
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